What else can we call it if not the cruel twist of fate? With Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill already on the sidelines with hamstring issues and elbow injuries, the New York Mets’ starting rotation was not ready for another setback. However, as brutal as it gets, on Thursday night against the Atlanta Braves, the Mets lost another starter for the remainder of the season, as it seems. Not to forget, Sean Manea is also on a rehab assignment.

The team notched a 4-0 win. But the victory felt a bit hollow in the aftermath. During the third inning, Mets’ starter Griffin Canning made a run from the mound for a ground ball. In his very first step, he collapsed right there. Visibly in pain and down on the dirt, trainers rushed to check up on him. Soon enough, he was helped off the field to go to the clubhouse.

His MRI results are yet to be out. Until then, if you want to go by Mendoza’s belief, it’s an Achilles injury. If that’s the case, according to the skipper, the Mets could lose Canning for the remainder of the season. After the unfortunate incident, Mendoza made a media appearance.

Speaking with SNY, he gave a blunt, honest response on overall starting rotation woes. “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We’ll find a way; guys will step up.” After battling injury after injury, Mendoza knows the team needs to navigate on its own and get a way out. “Our mentality is, what do we need to do today? I’m confident in the guys we have in that room. I’m confident that the guys who will come up are going to give us opportunities to win.” He added.

Speaking of help, the Mets may call up Nolan Mclean for the way he has been playing in the Triple-A. Meanwhile, Jonah Tong and Blade Tidwell are also potential options. They are young but can deliver well.

Coming to Canning’s injury, Mendoza was visibly devastated to see him down. “It sucks; you hate to see it…especially the way he went down right away…. I feel sorry for the guy, especially how big he’s been for us this year.” Indeed! Canning has recorded a stunning 3.77 ERA. Moreover, he has brought the Mets up in 13 out of his 17 starts.

Mets to get a much-needed boost in their lineup

The New York Mets had lost 10 of their last 11 games before Thursday night. But now, besides notching a win against the Braves, NYM has received another piece of positive news amidst looming injury setbacks.

The Mets’ key hitter, Mark Vientos, is set to be back on the roster. He has been absent since early June, and it has affected the team severely.

Currently, the offense has been struggling to find its footing, and his potential return couldn’t have come at a better time. Juan Soto definitely offers an explosive bat in the mix and delivers exceptionally behind the plate. Yet, the team has lacked consistency from him.

Just recently, speaking with SNY, Vientos said, “It’s good to be back with the guys and see a bunch of faces that I missed.” He further confirmed, “I’ll be back tomorrow in the active roster for the game against the Pirates.” Yes, as the Mets will go against the Pirates on Friday at PNC Park, we will finally witness Vientos back on the field.

For the record, he has the sixth-highest batting average on the entire team.

So, as the Mets try to get out of the injury slump, Vientos’ return might shift the whole momentum.

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